Rory McIlroy believes his strategy for winning the US Open is sound, but patience will be crucial as players await how Shinnecock Hills copes with expected testing weather. Winds gusting up to 36mph on Thursday afternoon could cause issues for later starters, though the Northern Irishman tees off at 7.52am local time.
The fast greens may require unprecedented watering between morning and afternoon waves to prevent the chaos seen during the last two US Opens at this Long Island venue. Despite this, the Masters champion relishes the challenge. “If everything is going the way everyone wants it in terms of weather, set-up, I think it’s the best championship test in the country,” said the world number two.
McIlroy, who has recorded six top-10 US Open finishes since missing the cut here in 2018, including consecutive runner-up finishes in 2023 and 2024, outlined his approach. “This course demands so much patience – it can really lure you into taking on things that you probably shouldn’t. If you can get your ball to the middle of the greens and just putt to the corners wherever the flags are, that’s never a bad strategy.”
McIlroy’s major form is strong after his Masters victory and a joint-seventh at the US PGA, but he is not the favourite. That honour goes to Scottie Scheffler, who seeks to join the elite career grand slam club. Scheffler, second to McIlroy at Augusta, has one win, two runners-up, and several top-five finishes this season. “I’d say I feel like I’ve been close most of the year, I just haven’t been as sharp as I needed to be,” said the world number one.
Other contenders include 2021 champion Jon Rahm, Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick (champion in 2022), and Tommy Fleetwood. Fitzpatrick, a two-time winner this year, was runner-up at the Canadian Open on Sunday. “There’s just obviously a few things to tighten up to try and take it to that next level and get it across the line in the bigger events,” said the Yorkshireman.
